Tree farm keeps roots firmly planted as bypass withers

The owners of Richards Tree Farm may be the last holdouts. When PennDOT snapped up land from home and business owners for the Marshalls Creek bypass congestion relief project, it used negotiation or eminent domain condemnation, whichever got the job done.

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By BETH BRELJE

poconorecord.com

By BETH BRELJE

Posted May. 27, 2008 at 12:01 AM

By BETH BRELJE
Posted May. 27, 2008 at 12:01 AM

Marshalls Creek Bypass

Last we heard: The Marshalls Creek Bypass proposed in 1991 and projected to be completed this year, was designed to alleviate traffic congestion at the intersection of Route 209, Route 209 Business...

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Marshalls Creek Bypass

Last we heard: The Marshalls Creek Bypass proposed in 1991 and projected to be completed this year, was designed to alleviate traffic congestion at the intersection of Route 209, Route 209 Business, Route 402 and Marshalls Creek Road. After acquiring acres of property and building a road to nowhere (the new Route 402), PennDOT pulled the plug on the project. It had become too expensive, and money is needed to repair the state's bridges. They have promised a smaller plan, but have given no timeline.

The latest: Studies. PennDOT is gathering new traffic data. Traffic counts were taken on Route 209 and River Road between May 13 and May 20. This week, turning movement counts will be conducted at key intersections. Local officials are being interviewed by PennDOT in early June for their take on the area's needs.

The owners of Richards Tree Farm may be the last holdouts. When PennDOT snapped up land from home and business owners for the Marshalls Creek bypass congestion relief project, it used negotiation or eminent domain condemnation, whichever got the job done.

Seth Richards and wife Patricia A. Griffin-Richards dug in their heels and got an attorney in order to keep the family business in place, across from the vacant old Big A restaurant on Route 209, Middle Smithfield. (The "Big A" was a casualty of the bypass.)

Now that the bypass project is being downsized, the couple are glad they have not agreed to move yet.

"If I would have done what PennDOT wanted, I would look like the Big A right now," Seth Richards said.

About five years ago, a man from PennDOT stopped into Richard's Tree Farm with drawings of the bypass path. He told the couple that PennDOT was going to take some of their property.

"He said don't hire a lawyer. Take what we offer and all will be fine," Richards said. There was no talk of land price, it was just an introductory meeting. But the PennDOT representative advised Richards not to make any improvements to the property because it would not increase the value.

The timing was crummy. Richards had just torn down part of the building in preparation for a greenhouse he had ordered. He went ahead with the greenhouse.

A few months later, Griffin-Richards saw bypass plans posted at the township building. They were much different from those originally presented to the couple. The new sketch eliminated most of the tree farm's exterior space. Parking and land for trees and shrubs would be gone.

"It has been a roller coaster the last five years. Part of you is mad, part is upset. We have no control over the process and how much time it takes. I think about it daily," Richards said.

He figures his property accrues value each year they are able to stay there.

"Why hurry when land value is gaining? Why close when a business is beneficial to the community and the environment?" he said.

So far, the biggest cost of staying on their land has not been the attorney fees. It is the mental stuff that gets them. When you plant a tree, you trust in a bigger future. But tomorrow is on hold for the Richardses.

Each season, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of inventory is ordered.

Before they order, Richards calls PennDOT to see if they will be in business in the coming season.

Upon hearing about the work stoppage in the Marshalls Creek bypass, Seth Richards said he was partially relieved that closing is not imminent, but also discouraged to see it start over again.

"Two months ago they had a time frame for me. Now the time frame is back to zero. Now knowing when is even more out of reach," Richards said.

The couple is not convinced that traffic congestion relief is needed on Route 209.

"I think it's a hoax. It's politics. There are much worse traffic scenarios than Marshalls Creek. The project could have been simpler, and completed 10 years ago. Traffic is not as bad as it was 5 years ago. People know how to get through Shawnee," Richards said.

We will soon find out. PennDOT is currently doing a series of traffic counts along the bypass path.

The bypass is being downsized because money is needed to repair Pennsylvania's decaying bridges.

"I think clearly bridges are more important than any kind of traffic jam. Traffic is not a safety issue. Any attractive place will be desolate during the week, then you sit in traffic on the weekend. That's just the way it is," Griffin-Richards said.

The couple have purchased an investment property next to the old Steak and Rib restaurant, but they have no plans to move the tree farm there. They have not decided what they will do if forced to move from the property that has been in the family for 75 years.

"PennDOT is not being true and fair with the general public and landowners. They should have been set in concrete financially at the very beginning. It doesn't matter to them. There is plenty of work for PennDOT. They are dealing with people's land and heritage. Some families have had the land over 100 years. It is a hodgepodge project. Seems that happens a lot in the Poconos," Richards said.

Until PennDOT forces their hand, They will keep planting tomorrow's trees at Richards Tree Farm.

"This is what we do best. Why ruin a good thing if you don't have to? It is obvious now we don't have to," Richards said.